WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025 • S h awLo c a l .co m
YEAR IN REVIEW Stories that highlighted humanity in 2025 / 6
The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, December 31, 2025 MIDWEEK
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Kishwaukee College’s fall 2025 nursing program graduates are all smiles after their pinning ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Kishwaukee College.
Kish College recognizes 26 nursing students SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
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Kishwaukee College recently recognized 26 students for completing the college’s registered nursing program during a pinning ceremony. The graduating nursing class included Asucena Alvares, Anusha Amin, Katherine Anderson, David Andrade, Edlyn Arellano, Maya Beard, Vanessa Briseno, Cassidi Calfa, Carly Coffman, Brittany Coleman, Monica Hernandez, Nicole Jazo, Caprice Kimmons, Beth Koneczny-Dix, Katie Maier, Aimee Marsh, Sydney Marshall, Andrew Prescod, Erica Ramos, Kara Robers, Sherlyn Rojas, Chian-Austin Scott, Laura Torres, Ariyana Turks, Cecilia Vargas and Sarah Ward. The ceremony featured an address from Kishwaukee College’s instruction
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vice president Barbara Leach and nursing director Angela Delmont. The graduates were pinned by a friend or family member who supported them or acted as their mentor during the program. Anderson, Andrade, Arellano, Calfa, Coffman, Hernandez, Maier, Marsh, Marshall, Prescod, Rojas, Torres, Turks, Vargas, and Ward were recognized as Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honors Society members. Arellano also was named the fall 2025 nursing program’s outstanding student. “Each of us carries a unique story and set of experiences that will enhance our practice. Let us embrace the challenges ahead with courage and an open heart, knowing that we are ready to handle whatever comes our way,” Arellano said in a news release. Arellano also acknowledged family,
friends and Kish’s faculty and staff for helping them reach their goals, a sentiment echoed by her classmates. “Kishwaukee has such a good nursing program, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to go into nursing. They offer such great opportunities,” Briseno also said in the news release. “The faculty and staff are like family and friends. They are so caring and helpful with your education. You gain important connections to help you after you graduate and get you where you want to be,” Andrade said in the news release. The Kishwaukee College registered nursing program prepares students to become fully licensed registered nurses in Illinois. For information, visit kish.edu/nursing.
ON THE COVER Ethan Wargo, 9, and his twin sister, Claire, at the free compliments stand in front of their house July 24, in Sycamore. Ethan offers free compliments to anyone who stops by, but he said tips are accepted and appreciated. See story, page 6. Photo by Mark Busch
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Rooted For Good lists January Grow Mobile food pantry dates SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com Rooted For Good released a list of January locations for Grow Mobile, a mobile food pantry that offers free food and household items to all who visit, with no requirements necessary. Rooted For Good works to ensure the well-being of residents, staff and volunteers. Organizers ask that people practice good hand hygiene and stay home if they are ill. To receive Grow Mobile alerts, text FreeGroceries to 844-727-2012. Grow Mobile remaining dates in January: • 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Clinton Township Community Building, 160 W. Lincoln Highway, Waterman.
• 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 8 at University Village Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb. • 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Cortland Lions Club Shelter, 70 S. Llanos St., Cortland. • 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 15 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb. • 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 20 at University Village Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb. • 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Malta Historical and Genealogical Society, 127 N. Third St., Malta. • 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 27 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 340 W. Arnold Road, Sandwich. • 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 29 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
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DeKalb Township will partner with the Northwestern Medicine advance care-planning team to offer residents ages 18 and older one-on-one advance care-planning sessions. The free sessions will be offered Mondays and Fridays in January. Participants can receive personalized support while completing health care-planning documents. The physician order forms can feature specific medical orders and must be signed by a licensed physician. Attendees also will be guided through the form and
learn about required finalization steps by a trained medical professional. “Advance care planning is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones,” Annette Meares, Northwestern Medicine advance care planning and medical ethics lead, said in a news release. “These free sessions offer a supportive, approachable way for individuals to document their health care preferences before a medical crisis occurs.” Because of limited appointments, reservations are required. To schedule an appointment, call 815-758-8282. – Shaw Local News Network
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SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com The J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center recently announced the schedule for its 2026 Soup-er Sundays winter lecture series. The series will be at noon the second and fourth Sundays of the month from January through March at the homestead, 921 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. The series will feature programs on local history and preservation. Guided homestead tours and soup will be provided. The programs are free for homestead members and $5 for nonmembers. The series proceeds will go toward the homestead. Homestead memberships can be bought online at GliddenHomestead.org. The Soup-er Sundays program schedule includes: • “Restoring Heritage: The Glidden Barn Revival”: Jan 11, presented by historic preservationist Roger Keys. • “Birds, Beasts, Bugs, and Little Fishes:
DeKalb Wildlife on Former Glidden Land”:
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DeKalb County stories that showed heart in 2025 MidWeek stories that made headlines this year By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com These feel-good, unique and community-focused news stories made headlines this year for highlighting major wins, triumph over adversity and neighbors celebrating neighbors. Take a look at our 2025 news recap for Shaw Local’s MidWeek:
Overnight warming shelter opens at DeKalb church
DeKalb community members rallied together in January to open the city’s only overnight warming shelter. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb, 158 N. Fourth St., hosts the warming center, which will open again in January 2026 and offer free services to those in need. The space, which includes free bedding, food and other essentials, is open for anyone who needs refuge from the cold in the winter months. Marreen Buntaine, the director of the community empowerment campaign with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb, and Dan Kenney, the founder of Rooted for Good and a fellow church member, gained permission for church leaders to host an overnight warming center in January 2024. Ash Rootes, director of the shelter, trained about 100 volunteers last winter to help at the shelter.
Mark Busch file photos
Ash Rootes, director of the overnight warming center at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb, talks Jan. 23 at the church, about the storage area where essentials for the facility are kept. The warming center, which is open nightly during the winter months, offers free hot meals to all and a warm, safe place for community members.
Flowers, 1126 E. State St., were bestowed the Clifford Danielson Outstanding Citizen Award. The award honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Sycamore community. This year, it celebrated two sisters whose dedication, leadership and service have left a lasting impact. Barnyard Zoo prepares Together, the sisters owned and operfuture farmers ated Kar-Fre Flowers. Under their ownDeKalb High School played host in ership, the Kar-Fre Flowers donated February to Future Farmers of Ameri- merchandise, time and expertise to local ca’s Barnyard Family Night. nonprofits, schools and charitable iniHeld during National FFA Week, the tiatives. Wrenn also served multiple hands-on experience gives local youth a t e r m s o n t h e S y c a m o r e S c h o o l chance to learn more about the farming District 427 school board. Schulz was a industry, animals and agriculture. longtime commissioner on the SycaVisitors engaged with rabbits, cows, more Park District board. The sisters goats, horse, pigs and chicks, as well as retired in 2024. farming equipment.
Sycamore sisters honored for community contributions
‘A tragedy into triumph’
A DeKalb couple who lost their son due to gun violence have spent the past Two Sycamore sisters known for five years working to help others in his their floral arrangements were given name. top honors in March at the Sycamore The Ezra Hill Jr. Memorial FoundaChamber of Commerce’s 108th annual tion hosted its 5th annual rock-painting meeting. event in June next to a memorial tree at Kris Wrenn and Michelle Schulz, the Tyler Elementary School in DeKalb. daughters of the founders of Kar-Fre Every year, when school lets out for
Marreen Buntaine, director of the community empowerment campaign with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb, talks Jan. 23, at the church, about the need the warming center fills for community members.
spring break, Andrea Elion relives the tragic moment her son, Ezra “EJ” Hill Jr., was killed in a 2019 shooting. But in the years since, she’s taken her grief and built up a community support system around her, which she called “therapeutic.” Andrea and Brandon Elion, EJ’s stepfather, have traveled the region speaking about the perils of gun vio-
lence in hopes of raising awareness. Andrea also speaks on the benefits of being an organ donor. At the time of his death, EJ’s heart was donated to another boy. The memorial foundation partners with the DeKalb Wrestling Club to sponsor scholarships, perform highway
See BEST OF 2025, page 8
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• BEST OF 2025
Continued from page 6 cleanups and serve as Gift of Hope ambassadors. And in the spring, the Elions invite the community to gather at the school’s memorial tree to paint rocks that they place around the tree with a sign that reads, “Fly high, EJ.”
1st grader gets heart-warming welcome back after transplant
Marshall Morong, 7, stepped out of a Tesla Cybertruck to cheering from 300 of his Hinckley-Big Rock Elementary School peers in May when he returned to school after a life-changing surgery. May 5 was his first day back to school in person a year after undergoing a heart transplant and months of recovery after waiting 294 days on a transplant list. Morong was born with congenital heart disease and without a left ventricle, his mom Jessica Satdei said. “Thank you to our donor family for choosing life in such a difficult moment,” Satdei said. “It definitely gave Marshall a second chance at life.”
Sullivan’s Tavern turns 80 in DeKalb
A longtime DeKalb watering hole that some liken to the bar in “Cheers” celebrated 80 years of serving customers. Owner Earl Sullivan of Sullivan’s Tavern, 722 E. Lincoln Highway, owns the business with his brothers Greg Sullivan and Albert Sullivan, and his sister in-law, Cindy Sullivan. The family hosted a big anniversary celebration in May open to the public. Sullivan’s Tavern originally got its start in 1927 out of nearby Maple Park and later relocated to Sycamore. It was 1945 when the tavern moved to DeKalb and later settled into its current location. The tavern has been passed down generations. It started with Earl’s grandfather, Earl Sullivan.
Sycamore boy’s cancer remission gets 100-plus biker parade to St. Charles
Sycamore 2-year-old Oliver Olinger’s life looks a lot different now than at this time last year, his mom, Sami Olinger, said. For one, Oliver and his family received a police escort alongside about 150 motorcycle riders from Sycamore to St. Charles on June 22 to visit the St. Charles Motorcycle Museum. For another, Oliver’s acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer, is in remission. June marked almost a year since he came home from an eight-
Mark Busch file photo
Ava Morse, a DeKalb High School freshman, holds a chicken Feb. 19, during the DeKalb High School Future Farmers of America Barnyard Zoo Family Night at the school. month hospital stay. “I feel like it’s just so special, especially because we’re coming up on a year cancer-free and done with treatment,” Sami Olinger said. Oliver was diagnosed on his first birthday, endured five rounds of chemotherapy and 75 blood transfusions. St. Charles resident Shawn Campbell, who followed Oliver’s journey through social media updates, connected with the Olinger family and local biker safety advocate Chris Hansen. Together, they organized the trip. Hansen is president of the DuKane chapter of A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education Illinois. His group was joined by biker groups from across the region, including the Lions Club and Indian Riders from Elgin. First responders from across the region also helped escort the bikers.
Sycamore child opens compliment stand
A heartwarming take on an activity baked into the fabric of American summertime culture was found on select days this summer in a Sycamore neighborhood. Ethan Wargo, 9, set up what he calls a compliment stand for a couple of days this July. He welcomed dozens of “customers.” Instead of receiving a cup of lemon-
ade or psychiatric help in the mode of “Peanuts’ ” Lucy, Wargo gave out compliments. He said he was inspired by characters in a “Dogman” novel – a spinoff from the children’s “Captain Underpants” novel series – who operated an insult stand. Wargo’s twin sister, Claire Wargo, also operated her own stand selling her artwork. “No matter what, you can have a good life, but if you want people to like you and you want to have an even better life, ... you have to have good social knowledge,” Ethan said.
Sheriff, deputies bike almost 400 miles for deputy who died in line of duty
Area law enforcement, including DeKalb County Sheriff Andy Sullivan, cycled almost 400 miles in July to raise money and remember the late Deputy Christina Musil. Musil, 35, a veteran and mother of three, was killed in a crash in Waterman while in the line of duty on March 28, 2024. “This really has a special place in my heart, and I know it always will,” Sullivan said. Among the cyclists were police officers, a sheriff and deputies, a retired state conservation police sergeant, state troopers, at least one prosecutor, civil-
ians and family of law enforcement personnel killed in the line of duty. Musil’s family also joined. Cycle Across Illinois participants rode from Springfield to Chicago over the course of four days. The annual charity bike ride was meant to honor those who’ve died in the line of duty, and raise funds for families left behind. The ride benefits the Illinois chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, which provides resources, grief support and more to surviving family. Donations help plan police funerals and send fallen officers’ children to college and summer camps.
DeKalb woman turns 100
Claire Hubele, whose loved ones call her “Claire Bear,” celebrated her 100th birthday at a DeKalb assisted-living facility in July surrounded by a community that’s grown into family. Hubele was showered with gifts, praise, butterscotch candy and a letter from Gov. JB Pritzker as she turned 100 at her home in Heritage Woods of DeKalb, 2626 N. Annie Glidden Road. Hubele shared some advice that she thinks anyone who wants to live to her age should bear in mind. “Just be yourself,” Hubele said.
• Shaw Local’s Megann Horstead and Camden Lazenby contributed.
LOOKING BACK Seth Yrjanamen, age 17, was injured shortly before noon today when the sled on which he and two other young men were riding struck an auto that was parked near the Niemmen Grocery store on Eleventh street. It was thought that the young men’s leg was broken, although an X-ray examination had not been made at a late hour this afternoon. The three young men had their sled toed to the rear of an automobile, it is stated, and were zig-zagging back and forth on the pavement the sled bumped into an auto that had been parked at the curbing. Ice skaters have been enjoying the sport during the last few days following the cold spell several days ago when the water at the new city park froze enough to allow skating. Some of the fellows have on the ice at nights, after working a half hour or more Photo provided by the DeKalb County History Center Archives stringing lights that the sport might be the Looking north toward Main Street (Lincoln Highway) and the Kishwaukee River bridge in DeKalb, more enjoyable. It is believed at this time 1898. that the ice at the park is safe for all skaters but few celebrations being planned in this thing else. When you talk about the Waterwho desire to go there. city. As New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday man schools, you speak of two districts, but this year, taverns in DeKalb will be closed in there is only one building to house all the Anyone going into the First National students and that, in a nutshell, is one of bank at Malta is greeted by a large placard conformance with a city ordinance which prohibits taverns from opening on Sunday. the difficulties. The building, new 20 years in red and white, which is interesting to ago, is almost hopelessly overcrowded now read, especially to bank robbers. It has this Friday afternoon the DeKalb police and the full impart of the expected bulge in to say: “Notice to Yeggs and Gay Cats (Proreceived a report that from 20 to 25 sixenrollments is still several years distant. fessionals and Amateurs). “The bankers, inch valves had been stolen. The valves had business men and citizens of this town ae Early this morning the DeKalb fire thoroughly organized and prepared to pro- been dug from the snow alongside of the tect property and resist any effort to rob or freight house of the Milwaukee railroad on department was called to the home of Mrs. Hazel Smith, 422 South Third street, where burglarize the banks, stores or other placed Pleasant Street. The valves had been unloaded at the freight house and were to the home was filled with smoke. A short in of business of this town. $1,000 reward be delivered to the Middle States Construc- the wiring of a motor in the oil burner was offered for bank robbers operating in this tion Company which is installing the new responsible for the difficulties. There was vicinity, Beware!” water mains in DeKalb. considerable smoke throughout the basement and the rest of the house. Work has been started on the wrecking Sycamore street crews, under the direcof the old city hospital, recently purchased by two DeKalb men from the hospital board. tion of Superintendent of Public Works Fred 1975 – 50 YEARS AGO The closing of DeKalb Public Hospital The hospital will be torn down this winter, it Foster, are continuing the job of removing snow from city streets in an effort to and the opening of Kishwaukee Community is stated, and the ground on which it has remove a driving hazard. Working all night Hospital is the top local news story of 1975. been located cleared and made a party of the grounds around the new Glidden hospi- to get the arterial streets open immediately UPI’s Top Five Stories of 1975: Headline tal. The owners of the old building are sell- after the recent heavy snows, crews are Value; 1. South Vietnam, Cambodia and ing parts of the old structure. At the present now working to remove the hard-packed layer of snow and ice on the pavement. By Laos fall to Communists. 2. California assastime much of the interior has been torn this morning, the bulldozer and truck crews sination attempts against President Ford. down and some of the windows and winhad largely cleaned up the situation in the 3. Patricia Hearst, two SLA companions dow frames on the south side have been business district and began working on side captured. 4. Watergate coverup convictions removed and sold. street. of Mitchell Halderman, Erlichman, Mardian. 5. The economy. 1950– 75 YEARS AGO Space is the one thing that the WaterEvery indication is that the New Year What started out in 1968 as a joint venwill be given a mild greeting in DeKalb with man school districts need more than any-
ture of the DeKalb and Sycamore hospital boards to ascess the community’s health care needs, became a new institution in 1975. DeKalb Public Hospital (DPH) closed its doors as an acute care facility and Kishwaukee Community Hospital (KCH) took its place. DeKalb’s designation as “Flag City, U.S.A.” became an overnight sensation last June when the colonial flag, painted on the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Beasley, 127 Sunset Place, caught news media attention. The Beasleys, and their son Jon, the man responsible for the bicentennial artwork, made newspapers across the nation. Two snow storms, which immobilized DeKalb County, blasted theire way into the headlines early in 1975. Weather was pushed out of the news later in the year by the gigantic farm show near Malta.
2000 – 25 YEARS AGO
With the Y2K scare safety filed away with other much hyped, but ultimately fleeting, phenomena, such as Beanie Babies, the Lambada and Mr. T, the city is preparing for a more typical celebrating this New Year’s Eve. For many, that will include a trip to one of more local watering holes. All public sidewalks are required by municipal code to have all snow and ice removed within 48 hours of the onset of a snowstorm. Owners, agents and occupants are liable for removal of the snow, the cost to remove the snow and ice and for fines and penalties. Thursday’s apartment fire near Regent Drive and Hillcrest Road once again brings to light the importance of the DeKalb Fire Department’s Adopt-a-Fire-Hydrant program. Firefighters on the scene reported that a fire hydrant covered in snow hampered their efforts. News comes in all shapes and sizes. On a warm July afternoon this year, that shape was potbellied. In one of the unique sights in DeKalb County his year, a pig found his way onto the grounds of the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport and the front page of the paper. – Compiled by Sue Breese
MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, December 31, 2025
1925 – 100 YEARS AGO
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Durbin talks ag policy with Illinois farmers By HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin met with Illinois Farm Bureau members at the organization’s annual meeting in Chicago to highlight agriculture’s vital role in the economy and the importance of providing fair, balanced support as farmers navigate ongoing challenges. Speaking to a room full of more than 100 people Dec. 6, Durbin, a Democrat from Springfield, acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding trade and tariffs, noting their impact on farm income and market stability. He said he is working with colleagues on bipartisan efforts, including expanding year-round E15 ethanol sales, and stressed that agriculture remains one of the most bipartisan issues in Congress. The senator also addressed questions about farmer bridge payments that the Trump administration later announced qualifying farmers would receive from the Department of Agriculture by Feb. 28.
people in the Midwest have a fighting chance.” Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau member Steve Turner said Durbin’s comments about these payments resonated with farmers facing financial strain. Turner explained that while producers prefer “trade, not aid,” the reality of depressed grain prices and rising input costs has created a squeeze on profitability. “We’ve been here before,” he told FarmWeek. “When markets are down, advancing part of those farm program payments can help farmers manage cash flow and keep operations moving.” Turner also reinforced Durbin’s Photo provided by FarmWeek remarks about IFB’s credibility and repuU.S. Sen. Dick Durbin speaks to reporters after giving remarks to Illinois Farm Bureau members tation in Washington, D.C., noting that the organization’s influence comes from and staff at the annual meeting in Chicago on Dec. 6. its grassroots approach and preparation. Up to $12 billion will be made available USDA comes through to “keep their He said the organization’s advocacy is to farmers to help them cope with narrow promise to help these farmers.” effective because members share realprofit margins through the Farmer Bridge “I want to give [farmers] a helping world experiences supported by research, Assistance Program. hand,” he told Jim Taylor of the RFD ensuring policymakers such as Durbin Further details about these payments Radio Network. “I think there will be fair hear clear, fact-based messages during still are to come, but Durbin said he hopes apportioning of any of these checks, so the discussions on farm policy.
Mental health, crisis care services available in DeKalb County Editor’s note: Those in need of immediate crisis care or mental health assistance aren’t alone. If you need immediate emergency help or are in danger, call 911. If you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for free 24/7 for immediate confidential crisis support. The DeKalb County Mental Health Board also has an interactive map to help you find mental health resources near you. To find a service, visit dekalbcountyil.maps.arcgis.com.
By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com Although the holidays are often a time for cheer and merriment, the season also can be difficult for those experiencing mental lows, crises, grief or loss. Resources exist for those in need of immediate crisis help, someone to talk to, longer-term counseling and more.
RISE
This grief support and crisis intervention group is tailored to middle and high school-aged youth experiencing loss. RISE – which stands for resilience, inspiration, support and empowerment – is offered through the Family Service Agency of DeKalb County. All genders
are welcome. No previous counseling is required. Participation is voluntary and confidential. For information or if you need support, contact Shatoya Jackson, director of youth programming and services at FSA, at sjackson@fsadekalbcounty.org or 815-758-8616, ext. 1204. The group provides a safe, supportive space to: • talk, listen or be present • connect with peers who understand or have shared experiences • learn healthy coping strategies • receive support from trained mental health professionals Upcoming group sessions: • 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Clinton Rosette Middle School, 650 N. First St., DeKalb • 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, at DeKalb High School, 501 W. Dresser Road, DeKalb • 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Clinton Rosette Middle School, 650 N. First St., DeKalb
seling walk-ins, visit from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. • For the center’s crisis walk-ins, offering immediate evaluations, visit from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Child endangerment and youth lockout: 877-870-2663 (24-hour service for runaways or youth lockouts offered by Family Service Agency of DeKalb County) • If runaway youths refuse to go home or are locked out of a home, contact the local police department. Contact the Family Service Agency to prevent runaways, or for youths refusing to go home or being locked out. For the agency’s main line, call 815-758-8616. CARES Line (24/7): 800-345-9049 • Available for if your child is at risk to themselves or others, has a mental health crisis or needs referral services. NIU Student Counseling Services: 816-753-1206 • This service is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hotlines On-call counseling is available after Ben Gordon Center (offers 24/7 office hours and on the weekends to supbehavioral and mental illness counsel- port NIU students eperiencing mental ing and crisis support): 866-242-0111 health emergencies or crises. Faculty, • For the center’s Living Room coun- staff, family or friends also can call to
discuss mental health emergencies regarding NIU students. Association for Individual Development Hotline: 630-966-9393 • This is a 24/7 hotline to help a person find resources in the community. The crisis text line is available at 833-243-8398 (AID-TEXT). Child physical and sexual abuse hotlines: • Illinois Department of Children and Family Services: 800-252-2873 (Suspected child abuse and neglect must be reported to DCFS and local law enforcement.) • Child Advocacy Center (through the Family Service Agency): 815-7588616. The line provides information and support resources for child abuse cases. Reports come from DCFS and law enforcement. Safe Passage: 815-756-5228 • This service is available for those experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. This is a DeKalb-based agency that also offers shelter to those in need escaping domestic abuse and violence, including families with children. A 24/7 crisis hotline is available; the crisis text line can be reached at 815393-1995. National 24/7 domestic violence hotline: 800-799-7233
11 MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Sandy Bressner file photo
Julie Yurko, president and CEO of the Northern Illinois Food Bank, welcomes ALDI employees during an effort to pack more than 6,000 disaster relief packages for Feeding America and the Northern Illinois Food Bank on May 7, 2024.
Northern Illinois Food Bank CEO named leader of the year Geneva-based nonprofit ‘thrilled to see’ Julie Yurko recognized on national stage By BRENDA SCHORY bschory@shawmedia.com A national publication, Food Bank News, named Northern Illinois Food Bank CEO Julie Yurko was named 2025 Food Bank Leader of the Year. Yurko has led the Northern Illinois Food Bank, based in Geneva, since 2014. She championed efforts to improve the experience for neighbors, diversify food access options, expand fresh food availability and build stron-
ger partnerships with pantries, donors and volunteers, according to a news release. “I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition,” Yurko said in the release. “It reflects the dedication of our entire team, our partners, and the neighbors who inspire us every day. Together, we’re building a stronger, more nourished Northern Illinois.” Food Bank News covers hunger relief trends and organizations across the country. The award recognizes exceptional leadership, innovation and measurable impact in the fight against hunger, according to the release. “We are thrilled to see Julie recognized on the national stage,” Northern Illinois Food Bank Board Chair Nate Carden said in the release. “Her inspi-
rational leadership and data-driven strategy have transformed how we serve neighbors with dignity and compassion.” In announcing the honor, Food Bank News cited Yurko’s commitment to strengthening satisfaction and loyalty across the food bank’s network and driving innovation to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves. Yurko was selected through a competitive nomination process, with the final decision made by the publication’s editorial team, according to the release. The publication also highlighted the impact of the organization’s use of Net Promoter Score tools and the implementation of neighbor councils, both of which ensure that community voices help shape and improve food access
services. A Net Promoter Score measures the willingness of customers to recommend a company’s products or services. Under Yurko’s leadership, the Northern Illinois Food Bank continues to expand its reach and deepen its commitment to access and community-centered care, according to the release. Last year, Northern Illinois Food Bank and its network of more than 900 food pantries and feeding programs provided more than 93 million meals to neighbors across its 13-county service area in Northern Illinois. Those include McHenry, Kane, DeKalb, Will, Ogle, Kankakee, DuPage, Kendall, Lake, Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson and Grundy.
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Goodfellows deliver gifts to hundreds in DeKalb County Since 2009, charity has raised $800K for children By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com If there’s a group that can compete with the Christmastime goodwill of Santa Claus, it’s the Goodfellows of DeKalb and Sycamore – a volunteer group that distributed thousands of gifts to children on Christmas Eve. The Goodfellows of DeKalb County, who are a semi-anonymous group of hundreds of people, including families with children, distributed gifts of clothing to almost 1,500 area children on Wednesday. The group’s president, Sandy Lancaster, described 2025 as “a record year” for need in DeKalb County. Lancaster, a DeKalb High School graduate and 38-year resident of Sycamore, said the community responded to that need by helping the Goodfellows raise $90,000 in 2025. “We’ve done a good job with raising money,” Lancaster said. “Even though we had more kids this year, we were able to spend more per child.” Goodfellow Kelli Meserole, of DeKalb, said they spent $88,000 on gifts for children this year. She spoke to the hundreds of volunteers who came out at 8 a.m. Dec. 24 to Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward St., Sycamore, so that they could distribute the group’s hundreds of gift bags. Among those who distributed gifts was Katherine Katz, 39, of Sycamore. She’s been helping the Goodfellows since she was a child. “It’s now part of our family tradition, and my kids are so excited about it every year,” Katz said. “My seven-year-old this year was like ‘It’s the best part of Christmas!’ ” Katz, a teacher at Sycamore Middle School, said seeing her children have a desire to give during the holiday season brings her joy. She also said she’s proud of what the community accomplishes through the Goodfellows. “I live, teach, I have my family in the community, it makes me so proud to see all these people who come together, whether they know each other or not,” Katz said. “It can be intimidating, but once people do it, they’re hooked, and they realize it’s the best way to start Christmas Eve into the holidays.” Kane County resident Brick VanDer-
Camden Lazenby
Goodfellows of DeKalb and Sycamore president Sandy Lancaster sits next to Nancy Mangan Dec. 23 at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, as Brick VanDerSnick walks behind them while dressed as Santa Claus. Snick came to the Goodfellows of DeKalb and Sycamore gift distribution on Christmas Eve dressed as Santa Claus. If he were the real Claus, however, he would have been in east Asia at the time, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracker. Lancaster, who has volunteered with the Goodfellows for close to 40 years, said the group has made efforts in recent years to spend money they raise for area children within the DeKalb County economy. She said they have spent $800,000 in DeKalb County since 2009. “Our big thing is we want to keep everything local, so we shop local, we wrap local, we distribute local,” Lancaster said. “This year, we started shopping at [Blaine’s] Farm and Fleet. We had one night there, and then the rest of the nights were at Target. We had six shopping nights at Target.” About 200 volunteers helped the Goodfellows on their seven nights of
shopping, and about 250 helped wrap the gifts. Lancaster said, in total, about 1,000 volunteer hours went into preparing the gifts for distribution by the Goodfellows on Christmas Eve. To receive gifts from the Goodfellows, parents fill out an application that includes their children’s top three clothing needs. Then the Goodfellows purchase and gift clothing to will fill those needs. The organization works with area schools and other groups to coordinate with parents. “We believe in providing the basic necessities for the children,” Lancaster said. Meserole, who Lancaster said could be at the helm of the group’s leadership team in 2026, got involved with the Goodfellows of DeKalb and Sycamore through friends about a decade ago. She has made the Goodfellows a part of her young family’s Christmas traditions partly because of the support her family
received as a child. “Taking care of the kids in our community is something that’s really important to me,” Meserole said. “As a kid, we needed help occasionally, so I want to be able to give back through organizations who can do the same things. I’m really big on taking care of our neighbors and looking out for one another.” While hundreds of people are responsible for the gifts DeKalb County children receive from the Goodfellows, Katz thanked the Goodfellows team that worked all year to make the Christmas Eve gift deliveries possible. “They work from the minute Christmas is over until the next Christmas for our families here,” Katz said. “So many kids don’t even know that this is what’s behind the scenes, but that’s the true magic of it. Helping these families – it’s just amazing, I have chills just talking about it.”
MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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